BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has asked the
United States to provide details of U.S. subsidies to biodiesel
producers as it weighs up a request by European producers to
hit U.S. imports with punitive duties.

"The Commission is in contact with the United States to
clarify certain details regarding U.S. production," an European
Union diplomat said on Monday.

"This is an initial prerequisite to any move the Commission
may take in this area," the diplomat said, speaking on
condition of anonymity.

European biodiesel producers in April asked the Commission
to impose duties on biodiesel imports from the United States on
the grounds they broke international trade rules.

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The European Biodiesel Board said U.S. subsidies for "B99"
biodiesel -- which is blended with mineral diesel -- breached
World Trade Organization rules and threatened the growing
international trade in biodiesel.

The National Biodiesel Board, which represents U.S.
producers, accused EU producers of hypocrisy, saying they
benefit from discriminatory fuel specifications in the bloc.